Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for the Economy (copy enclosed) setting out progress with the development of the Growth Vision Strategy and outlining the proposed regional governance model.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       endorse the preferred regional governance model of a statutory joint committee for further development;

(b)       instruct officers to work with colleagues in partner North Wales councils to develop a detailed constitution and inter-authority agreement for the proposed Joint Committee and to bring it back for consideration of the Council entering into a statutory joint committee model with the five partner councils, within the first three months of the new Council term, and

(c)        that Cabinet confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 3 to the report) as part of its consideration.

Councillor Hugh Evans presented the report setting out progress with the development of the Growth Vision Strategy for the Economy of North Wales and outlining the proposed regional governance model of a statutory Joint Committee.

The Growth Vision had been endorsed by all six North Wales Councils in autumn 2016 and Cabinet was now invited to endorse the proposed governance structure to develop the strategy into a ‘Growth Bid’ for national investment.  The Leader highlighted the expectations of the Welsh Government for North Wales in terms of regional working to maximise the impact of investment and the UK Government’s expectations for cross boundary working and connections to other economies.

The Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm outlined the terms of reference of the proposed Joint Committee which covered the development of a formal Growth Bid, agreeing an investment plan, and setting and overseeing an implementation plan.  If the outline governance model was agreed then further detail and information would be added.  Cabinet’s attention was also drawn to the Wellbeing Impact Assessment and the Corporate Director elaborated upon the assessments of both benefits and risk factors of those arrangements together with mitigation measures and safeguards to help ensure a positive outcome.

The following matters were discussed further during the ensuing debate –

·         transport infrastructure was highlighted as a crucial element in delivering the strategy and the need for a strong vision in that regard, particularly in terms of the road networks including links between rural communities and other economies, to ensure Denbighshire was well placed to benefit at an early stage within the process.  It was noted that the A55, A494, A5 and A483 had all been identified as regional priorities.  Reference was also made to the Local Transport Plan across the six North Wales councils and it was agreed that it would be timely for the new Council to review the highways strategy going forward.  Cabinet was also pleased to note that a regional transport consortium, similar to TAITH, had been proposed as part of the Joint Committee’s terms of reference for Transport Planning and Commissioning

·         it was noted that if the proposed governance model was approved further work would be undertaken to develop a detailed constitution and inter-authority agreement and be brought back to Cabinet within the first three months of the new Council term.  The recommended membership of the Joint Committee was the leaders of each of the six councils

·         the importance of ensuring Denbighshire’s best interests were served through regional working was emphasised and ensuring that the council was not disenfranchised as a result.  The Corporate Director reported upon discussions undertaken in that regard and it was acknowledged that particular schemes may not benefit all six councils and support for those schemes and the financial weightings in terms of council contributions warranted further debate by the Joint Committee.  The focus should be about making investment and growing the economy of North Wales allowing access to employment opportunities and ensuring residents had employment skills

·         it was clarified that the proposed work of the Joint Committee had been detailed in the terms of reference together with its limitations and individual councils would still have their own work to do in supporting their area’s economic development, including regeneration.  The allocation of government funding was a complex area and it was important that there was a clear understanding of financial provision to maximise investment priorities

·         the positives and potential negatives on Welsh Language had been included in the Wellbeing Impact Assessment together with mitigating actions

·         members were advised that HM Prison Berwyn had already been fully engaged in working with the region to ensure positive local impact and once figures had been received regarding the benefits to Denbighshire in terms of construction and employment work the information could be shared with Cabinet

·         digitalisation was an important part of the growth vision and included plans to accelerate the roll-out of broadband connectivity and increase ultra-fast broadband together with examining priority areas for investment

·         there was a government expectation that there be close joint strategic planning with the immediate North West of England and with the wider Northern Powerhouse network and the region was working closely with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnerships on a cross border basis

·         work with education providers was being undertaken to support developing and upskilling the regional workforce and the Joint Committee would be in a position to drive and direct that work more coherently

·         reference was also made to the two key strategic employment sites at St. Asaph and Bodelwyddan and progress made in that regard in terms of development, new business and promotion.

Cabinet also discussed the general move to more regional working and the implications of the Local Government White Paper in that regard.  There would be a requirement to develop regional delivery mechanisms and organise the council’s political and officer structures around regional structures which heralded a fundamental change in working practices to be delivered with less resource.

The Leader moved the recommendations and it was agreed to include reference to ‘North Wales’ councils for clarity.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       endorse the preferred regional governance model of a statutory joint committee for further development;

(b)       instruct officers to work with colleagues in partner North Wales councils to develop a detailed constitution and inter-authority agreement for the proposed Joint Committee and to bring it back for consideration of the Council entering into a statutory joint committee model with the five partner councils, within the first three months of the new Council term, and

(c)        that Cabinet confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 3 to the report) as part of its consideration.

At this point (12.15 p.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.